Effect of Implementing Respiratory Care Unit Ventilator Weaning Assessment Checklist on Weaning and Extubation Outcomes

Background: Approximately 48% of patients with chronic respiratory disorders experience post-extubation respiratory failure necessitating noninvasive respiratory support or reintubation, which is linked to higher morbidity and mortality. So, it is necessary to determine patients’ preparedness for weaning and extubation. Objectives: To examine the effect of implementing respiratory care unit (RCC) ventilator weaning assessment checklist on weaning and extubation outcomes. Methods: Randomized controlled trial, carried out in 70 patients receiving mechanical ventilation from January 2023 to September 2023 at the respiratory intensive care units at Assiut University Hospital, Egypt. Patients were randomly assigned to a study and a usual care group, with 35 patients for each group. The usual care group weaned using the routine method, while the study group weaned using (RCC) ventilator weaning assessment checklist; the 2 groups were compared concerning weaning and extubation outcomes. Results: Compared to the usual care group, the study group’s weaning success rate was significantly higher than that of the usual care group (88.6% vs 51.4%; P = .008), and extubation failure rate was significantly lower (17.1% vs 45.7%; P = .010). Conclusions: Using RCC ventilator weaning assessment checklist improving weaning and extubation outcomes.